Premier League Team of the Season: Manchester City leads the way
By Ivan Buss
FWD: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
His season may have tailed off course towards the end, but without Saka’s production both scoring and providing this season, Arsenal would not have the record they have in the Premier League.
At such a young age, to be putting up the numbers he does and influencing matches in the manner that he has is astonishing. From Hale End to the first team, his ascension into Arsenal’s squad is a story that so many others dream of. Having outperformed his xG, and his teammates helping him to massively outperform his xA, this Arsenal youngster is the one that makes it into the front three for the season.
FWD: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Erling Haaland has surpassed any and all expectations this season. Haaland has broken record after record in a City shirt, and the scary thing is, he is still just 22 years of age. He could yet get better! Having him in the Premier League this season has been an absolute treat unless, of course, you are a defender having to try and stop him from scoring.
He broke Mohamed Salah’s record of 32 goals in a single season, making him the current holder for most goals by a Premier League player in a 38-game season and 42 game-season, and the most goals scored in all competitions in a single season by a Premier League player (51), I could go on. His minutes-to-goal ratio currently sits at 75, SEVENTY-FIVE minutes per goal. The efficiency at which he puts the ball in the back of the net is just outstanding.
His adaptation to this league has been nothing short of phenomenal.
FWD: Harry Kane (Tottenham)
It’s a shame to think that Harry Kane has also had an incredible season with 28 goals, a tally that would have taken the Golden Boot honours in each of the last 4 seasons, and yet Spurs have had an abysmal season. He has scored 28 goals in easily one of the worst Spurs sides we have witnessed in years. Heung Min Son’s production fell off a cliff this year, their attack looked impotent at best, and Richarlison couldn’t buy a goal to save his life (unless of course, it was offside).
Spurs have currently scored all of 66 goals, meaning that Harry Kane is responsible for a whopping 42% of Spurs’ goals. He is almost quite literally 50% of their attack when it comes to scoring. If it weren’t for Erling Haaland, he would surely have more people talking about the numbers he has put up while playing in this sorry Spurs team this season. Without Kane, Spurs could easily be looking at a bottom-half finish in the Premier League and struggle even further to bring in top talent.